Occupational therapy

If an illness or injury has made it difficult for you to manage daily life, occupational therapy can help. Working closely with a therapist you will develop the skills you need to become more independent and safely meet your goals.

You may need to learn new ways to get dressed and prepare meals, function in your home, or find out how to select and operate a wheelchair.

Occupational therapists provide customized treatment for each patient. They may recommend special equipment to help you perform daily activities at home and at work. They may work with you to help you learn to function without equipment. They also offer guidance to family members and caregivers who are helping you with daily activities.

Orthopedic occupational therapy

Occupational therapists that specialize in orthopedics help patients recover from total knee or hip surgeries, as well as back and neck problems. They also work with patients who have sprains and strains of the shoulder, wrist and hand injuries.

Occupational therapy activities

Occupational therapy can help you with:

• strength and coordination, like reaching, grasping and writing
• sensory processing, including sensitivity training to touch, movement and noise
• daily living skills like feeding, dressing, laundry, meal preparation, bill paying, and preparing to return to driving
• lymphedema management
• thinking, reasoning and remembering (cognitive) skills, including problem solving, organization, attention span, and following directions
• wheelchair positioning and special equipment needs
• hand rehabilitation.

Allina Health offers occupational therapy for patients in the hospital and at many outpatient clinics in the Twin Cities area.